2007-08-26 18:27:16 · 5 answers · asked by millicent525 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Daoism is no longer a centralized religion, and so the answer to this question depends on where you are and who you're talking to. For most people, no conversion is necessary since the laity aren't inducted into the secrets of Daoist monastic practice. Daoist religion is basically the folk religion of most Chinese people. To get involved in any meaningful way you'd need to learn Chinese, become affiliated with a worship community or a monastic institution, and even then you may be out of luck. Some Daoists perceive western culture and people as polluted, since the religion is so closely tied to China.
2007-08-26 18:32:11 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Apparantly, Taoism is both a philosophy and a religion. They are quite different from each other. The original Tao de Ching by Lao Tzu had nothing to do with god or religion.
Sure enough, some fools eventually turned it into a bogus religion. But the essential truths of taoist philosophy remain relevent to this day.
2007-08-27 01:34:15 · answer #2 · answered by Karl M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"He who speaks, does not know; he who knows, does not speak."
You don't need to 'convert' to anything... just read the danged thing. If anybody tries to tell you what it means... don't listen to them.
Start at the beginning, and read two or three chapters a day (they are VERY short). Think about them. Jot down any insights or ideas that you have in the margins... make sure you date them. When you've gotten through it, take a week off... then start over. Do this over, and over, and over... for a year. Then take 3 to 6 months off... then start over, and do it again... and again.
Notice how the insights that you write down change, over time, as you start to experience living in the tao.
Hint: You will encounter the concept of 'not doing'. It's not what it seems. Think of an athlete 'in the groove'... doing his task perfectly, without even thinking about. Or, something that I experience from time-to-time... playing the guitar... very complicated finger-picking... singing... not making any mistakes... and not paying any attention, at all... and thinking about something else entirely, at the same time... a computer programming problem... work to do... what to have for supper. That is 'not doing'. The playing guitar and singing part is just 'happening'... I am not 'doing' it. 'Doing' requires attention.
That's an example of what it's like to be in the Tao. You'll have to figure out what it means for yourself.
2007-08-27 01:46:14 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I recommend going to the library. Teacher isn't going to like the reference"Yahoo Answers, Religion and Spirituality, jeannielunchbox"
2007-08-27 01:36:18 · answer #4 · answered by . 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
google it and learn
2007-08-27 01:45:33 · answer #5 · answered by dogpatch USA 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋